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13PLANNING AND CONSERVATIONCOMMITTEE REPORTCarol Seymour-NewtonMuch of the Committee%u2019s time has been taken up dealing with the two major developments belo1 KNIGHTSBRIDGE GREENBROMPTON ROADIn the Autumn Newsletter we reported on this major planning application and our comments to Westminster City Council. Although we appreciated the need for redevelopment of the late 50s building, we felt that the proposed increase in height and bulk were excessive and would adversely affect the amenity of adjacent residential buildings and that the main entrance should revert back from Raphael Street to its current position on Knightsbridge Green; daylight and sunlight issues needed further consideration and further thought should be given to traffic management in Raphael Street and Lancelot Place.A further meeting with the developer%u2019s agents took place at the end of October to show us a number of welcome amendments to the scheme. These included the main entrance reverting to Knightsbridge Green %u2013 a major improvement %u2013 several changes to address the issues of sunlight and daylight and an increase in %u2018greening%u2019 the building at ground and upper levels. The main objection remains the increased bulk and height.As we went to press we were discussing these changes with the management of the affected residential blocks before commenting back to the developers.It is not yet known whether this will be considered as revisions to the planning application, or whether it will necessitate a new application.THE PARK TOWER HOTELKNIGHTSBRIDGEAcross the boundary to Kensington & Chelsea (RBKC) the application for a major refurbishment and extension of the hotel is under consideration by the Council.Built in 1973 to a design by architect Richard Seifert %u2013 replacing Woollands department store %u2013 the original plans were for a considerably taller tower. In the event, it was reduced by about ten storeys.The current, and previously granted permissions, seem to be seeking to claw back the extra storeys.The Association welcomes the considerable improvements at street level which propose a new two storey podium (above)at ground floor with retail units; a grand new pedestrian entrance on the Knightsbridge frontage %u2013 currently a rather dead area; upgraded vehicular drop off on Lowndes Square, and a colonnade along William Street with caf%u00e9s and shops.Our objection is to the proposed increase in height which when added to the already permitted extra storeys will increase the height of the tower by a third completely dominating the four surrounding Conservation Areas and the view from Hyde Park.We are waiting to see whether there will be amendments requiring further consultation. NAMMOS 13-17 MONTPELIER STREETTo those living in the Montpeliers waiting nervously for the opening ExistingThe upper floors would come to the edge of the building line and protrude further out over the pavement